A taste of freedom. It wet American colonists’ appetite for all-you-can-eat independence.
So goes the theory of salutary neglect. The unofficial British policy that avoided strict enforcement of trade laws on its 13 American colonies.
Never before has the “slippery slope” cliche been so true. Really perilous to snatch back freedom once you’ve let your “subjects” see what it feels like.
Check out the rest of the story here and discover the fascinating details, such as…
Why did British officials turn a blind eye to colonists’ illegal trade?
The British leader who left his bumbling buddies in charge of important colonial positions.
Who coined the phrase “salutary neglect” while saying England’s king was killing the golden goose.
Thanks for reading,
Shane McLendon — Today’s Time Capsule writer
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